Anti-Viral Medications

Older adults are at higher risk for serious complications from infectious diseases because our immune systems weaken with age. Older adults are also more likely to have chronic diseases that make them more susceptible to complications from infectious diseases, like influenza (the flu), RSV, COVID-19, and more.

With illnesses like the flu that are caused by a virus, antibiotics don’t help since they fight bacterial infections. But there are medications that can help fight some viruses like the flu and COVID-19. These antiviral medications can help reduce the severity of symptoms, lower complications, and in some cases prevention infection after exposure.

These antiviral medications are prescriptions that must be started within two days of symptoms starting so it’s important to talk to a healthcare professional right away and get a test to confirm if an antiviral medication could be right for you.

Check out our frequently asked questions here.

Read our factsheet here

And watch our expert webinar here to learn more about how these antivirals work, who should take them, and more.